Monday, February 25, 2013

Johnny Shelton Website Post

I was asked by Johnny Shelton, (Virginia Tech Football Team Chaplain), to write a message about him and his ministry at Virginia Tech on his website.  I believe Johnny to be a great influence in my walk with Christ, so it was true honor to be asked to write on his website for him.  

So this blog post is what I wrote on his webiste (below).  But please check out his website and see what some other players and coaches had to say under the section "players and coaches".  Also just check out the website and see what Johnny Shelton really is doing for the Virginia Tech Athletic Department.  It is AWESOME how God is leading him and his ministry!

Here is the link to the website:  www.vtchaplain.com

What I wrote for the website:

I met Johnny Shelton while I was a Graduate Assistant for the Virginia Tech Football Team. Johnny not only had and continues to have a major impact on my life, but it has been a blessing to see the impact he has on the Virginia Tech players, coaches, and athletic department as a whole.
Johnny Shelton is a man with a powerful heart and passion for the Lord. He truly knows how to allow God to lead his heart, to pour out love, and to bless his ministry to Virginia Tech Athletics. As a Graduate Assistant for the football team, I wasn’t a player, or even a coach, but Johnny still reached out to me and helped guide me and my life with Christ. He shows Christ’s love to everyone. Whether you are a freshmen equipment manager or the star running back, Johnny will love you and help guide you with his heart.

One of the best memories I have with Johnny while working for the team was a game day in 2008, playing on the road in Miami and I had gone outside by the pool at 6 a.m. for morning devotions. Johnny came out there and it really was the first time I feel we connected. Our relationship grew as I began to tell him about my life with Christ, and he would share with me the importance of taking the initiative to put Christ in every aspect of my life. Our relationship continued to grow, and Johnny would marry my wife, Morgann, and I two years later. These are the type of relationships Johnny is building, not only on the football team but with the entire Virginia Tech Athletic Department- relationships through Christ that will not only last while a player or coach is at Virginia Tech, but even when they leave.

I have been blessed to have Johnny Shelton as a part of my walk with Christ. He leads, listens, understands, and truly lives out God’s purpose for his life every day. It was not only a great pleasure getting to be around Johnny Shelton when I was at Virginia Tech, but it is with greater pleasure that I can say it is an honor to have Johnny Shelton as a true brother in Christ.

“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus” – Philippians 3:12




Monday, February 4, 2013

LEAD...for God'Sake! (Book Review)

WOW!
That is how I am going to start this review.  With my 3rd book down of the year 2013.  All I can say is WOW.  This book was a weekend read, not just because I had the time this weekend, but more so because I couldn't put it down.  Recomended highly and given to me by Johnny Shelton (@VTFB_Chaplain) on Friday. 

LEAD...for God'Sake! - By Todd Gogwer

I'm not going to spend a ton of time describing this book or telling you specific quotes from the book.  1)Because I really want everyone to just get a copy and read it and 2)That would be way too much reading as I have highlighted a great deal of the book.

Lead...for God'Sake is written in parable format.(my favorite way to learn)  So it is a story, and heart felt one at that, about a basketball coach in Kentucky who builds an amazing relationship with the school janitor.  Which in turn, leads him to changing his heart and purpose for living.  But the substance is so much more than that, it caused me to pause and Re-read many parts of the book because I needed more time to marinate on the words, analogies, and memorable quotes.

I honestly can't remember the last time I cried while reading a book, well this greatly told story till the end, made that happen for me twice.  (well one of those times I just got a lump in my throat because I was holding it back)  I truly suggest everyone to read this book this year, you will not be disappointed.